Africa-Press – Eswatini. In an unprecedented move aimed at strengthening public engagement, Senators have taken Parliament directly to the people by visiting residents of Nkamanzi under Ludzeludze Inkhundla in the Manzini Region, an initiative that surprised and encouraged the local community.
The outreach visit took place on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Nkamanzi Umphakatsi and was led by Senate President Lindiwe Dlamini. During the engagement, senators interacted with residents on a range of developmental and socio-economic issues directly affecting their daily lives. These included concerns over the increasing takeover of local shops by Asian business owners, labour-related matters such as retirement planning through the Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF), and broader development challenges facing rural communities.
Addressing the gathering, Senate President Dlamini said the outreach initiative was inspired by the directive of Their Majesties, who have consistently emphasised the importance of taking governance closer to the people. She noted that such engagements play a vital role in accelerating national development by ensuring that the voices of ordinary citizens are heard and considered in the legislative process.
Speaking directly to Nkamanzi Chief Prince Gija, Dlamini explained that the visit was motivated by the aspirations expressed by the nation during Sibaya: The People’s Parliament in 2023. “We are here to lend a helping hand in developing the nation, in line with what the people themselves raised at Sibaya,” she said.
She further reminded residents that His Majesty King Mswati III charged all lawmakers with the responsibility of taking Parliament to the people when he officially opened the Second Session of the 12th Parliament in February 2025. Dlamini explained that every five years, Emaswati participate in the critical exercise of shaping the Legislature by electing Members of Parliament, who are entrusted with enacting laws intended to improve the welfare of the nation.
It was in this spirit, she said, that senators chose to visit Nkamanzi — not merely to speak, but to listen. The aim was to hear directly from citizens about what more legislators could do to support development and improve livelihoods.
Dlamini also took time to explain the law-making process, noting that Bills are debated by both the House of Assembly and the Senate before being passed. These Bills only become legally binding Acts of Parliament once they have been assented to by His Majesty the King. She stressed that public participation is a crucial part of this process, as citizens are invited to make submissions on proposed legislation.
However, she expressed concern that public turnout during such consultation periods has often been low. “This is one of the reasons we decided to bring Parliament to the people, instead of waiting for the people to come to Parliament,” she said.
Responding to the senators’ visit, Chief Prince Gija expressed gratitude for selecting Nkamanzi as the first community to benefit from the outreach programme. He urged residents to make full and productive use of the opportunity to engage directly with lawmakers.
The Chief also raised concerns about economic sustainability, noting that government ministries should explore innovative ways to generate revenue rather than relying solely on government funding. Additionally, he highlighted the perceived neglect of the Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC), expressing concern that local institutions were being sidelined in favour of foreign companies.
The visit marked a significant step towards inclusive governance and strengthened engagement between lawmakers and the communities they serve.
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